Free-play device



July 9 1940- M. GENSBURG 2,207,617

y FREE-PLAY DEVICE Filed NOV. 14, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l July 9, 1940. M. GENsBuR G FREE-PLAY DEVICE 2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Nov. 14, 1938 M fzsur yg] e mNToR.

,WW N

.Ff/5 ATTORNEY.

Patented July 9,1940

UNITED sTATlzsl 2,207,617 ,l lFREE-PLAY. DEVICE,

Myer Gensburg, Chicago, Ill., assignor'to Genco, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporationof Illinois Application November 14, 1938, Serial No. 24Il,32`1` 13 Claims. (Cl.y 213-119) This invention relates to repeat-operating mechanism particularly useful in coin-controlled devices and coin-operated game and' amusement apparatus, and sometimes referred to as a freeplay control, the principal object being the pro- Vision of an improved device of this lclass which is simple and inexpensive in construction, reliable in operation and of general application.

More particularly statedyit is an object of the l0 invention vto provide a variable stroke operating device including a slide bar arranged to move back and forth, and a shiftable controlled member engaged and actuated by movable vinterconnecting means on the slide bar when the latter is moved a predetermined distance toward the4 coin is deposited in Lthe coin slide, the latter other-'- wise having only a limited i-dle stroke movement which, however, is sufiicient to move the vslidebar provided .the interconnecting free-play mem, ber is moved to shorten the stroke or distance necessary for the slide bar to be moved to actuate the controlled member. f

It is a further object to provide actuating means, preferably in the form of an electromagnet, movable with the slide' bar for effecting movement of the free-play member into effective position. V

It' is another object to arrange the free-play mechanism in combination with game apparatus having a coin control so that a predetermined score or objective must be attained inthe gamel in order to actuate the free-play device and shorten the stroke necessary for the actuatingl member or slide bar to move torelease the game 4.5 for another free-play without deposit of a coin in the coin slide. f

It will be understood that the invention in its' broader. aspects may be embodied in arrangements other than that specifically described hereinafter forpurposes of illustration in viewof the` preferred construction shown in the drawings.:

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the following ,description proceeds in View of the drawings, in which:

555 Fig.- 1 isa fragmentary verticalsection through a bagatelle game employing the free-play mechanism; r .Y Fig. 2 isafragmentary bottom plan view of the playing field, showing the free-.play mechanism as-viewed in the direction of line 2--2 of Fig. 1; 5

, lig. 3l is afragmentary bottom perspective of the playing board, the free-play mechanism, and the game-actuated fcontrol switches;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section, to reduced scale, showing the ball elevating means; 10A

Fig. 5 is a circuit diagram. 4

In the preferred arrangement, the free-play mechanism is incorporated in an lamusement devicel including a cabinet I0 (Fig. 1) having a 15 horizontally inclined ball playing board II therein, and in which board are a plurality' of ball pockets or openings I2 (Fig. 2 also) and into which -balls gravitating over the playboard may fall to rest upon control members in the form 20 of `ball-operated switches I3.

The switches I3 .are variously mounted onstraps I4 which are secured to crossbars I5 (Fig. 3), the crossbars in turn being rigidly secured to parallel slide bars I6 which, together with the 25 several crossbars, 'comprise a framework which constitutes `afshiftable or reciprocably sliding controlled instrumentality or mechanism which it is an object ofthe invention to actuate through the lagency of Athe novel free-play mechanism -30 sliding or shifting reciprocation to move the 35 l switches I3 into and out of ball obstructing position beneath the corresponding' ball exits I2, there being a spring I8 attached to the switch-A bearing frame structure to urge the latter (toward the left, Figs. 2 and 3) into a normal posi- 40 tion with the several switches I 3 Idisposed beneath their respective ball openings so that should a ball enter one of the latter, the corresponding switch will be operated for purposes hereinafter described. 45 The controlled member -or switch-bearing' frame I5--IB is adapted to be shifted into ball releasing position by operation of a master con-y trol or coin slide so thatany pocketed balls willbe releasedto fall upon an inclined apron I9 50. (Fig. 4) for delivery into'position to be elevated by an elevator 20 actuated by a plunger 2I whereby the balls are positioned one by one in front of a ball projecting plunger`22 which may be manipulated by the player to propel balls onto the upper end of the playboard for movement'l over the latter into one or another of the pockets Means for shifting the controlled member or switch-bearing frame (also commonly referred to as a shuiiie panel in some of its forms) ,includes the arrangement of a master ycontrol in the form of a coin slide 25 mounted on a front wall of the cabinet I0 opposite the lower end of the playboard and including a reciprocable operating slide 26, [the inner end of which is disposed, when the slide is pushed inwardly a predeterminedy distance (upon deposit of a coin therein), to engage the oiset or depending arm 28 off-a reciprocable actuating slide .bar 29 which isslidably mounted at one end in the cleat H along with the frame bar I6, 'but which at its opposite (lefthand) end is provided with a rigid T bar 39 having parallel legs 3| at its extremities and which are mounted in cleats 32 to slide in a direction parallel with `the main bar 29. The rear or right-hand end of the slide bar 29 is upset as at 33 for rigid connection with a brace or truss 34 which is secured at its opposite ffe'nd to the depending arm 28 to reinforce the latter, it being observed in Fig. 1 that the brace 34 is disposed at an appreciable distance below the 'slide bar 29 (or above bar 2-9 in Fig. 53).

Means providing a thrust contact on the shufiiepanelfor controlled framestructura includes an arm 35 which is spot welded or otherwise secured as at 36 to one of the arms IB on the switch-bearing frame, and which has an upset end flange 31 constituting a thrust receiving contact surface against which means on the slide bar bears when the bar is moved inwardly a predetermined distance, it being observed also that the arm 35 lies above the slide bar 29 alongside the uptu-r-ned contact end Stof the frame bar I6, attention being called to the fact that the end portion 38 lies in advance of the upset flange 31 in a direction toward the left and hence towardv the master control or slide 26.

In the normal operation of the game, the player deposits a coin in the master control land moves the slide '26 inwardly, the coin freeing the latter for a full stroke movement so that the inner end of the slide y2G will bear against the depending arm 28 on 'the actuating slide 29, with the result that the latter will likewise be moved inwardly (toward the right).

Means for establishing an operative connection between the actuating slide bar 29 and the controlled slidable member or shuflle panel l5-l6, includes the provision of an arm 40' pivotally mounted as at 4| on the actuating slide bar 29 and provided with an upset free end portion 42 vadapted tobear against the thrust flange 3l when the actuating slide has been moved a predetermined distance inwardly or toward the right by operation of the master control 26 in the manner aforesaid, whereupon continued movement of the slide bar in this same direction will shift the members I6 to withdraw the switches l2 from blocking position beneath the ball exits, thereby freeing a predetermined number of balls for elevation and projection lby the player by the means previously described. It may be observed that the coupling means or arm 40 is disposed in the normal position shown in Fig. 3 by means constituting a part of the free-play mechanism, as will hereinafter appear.

As balls are projected out onto the field bythe player, they will become lodged in various pockets i2 and actuate. the corresponding switches, which in turn are arranged to control some desired form of signal or score indicating means, and in the event that the player is successful in lodging balls in certain pockets, the arrangement is such that he will be awarded one or more free plays, that is, one or more operations of the master control 26, without the necessity of depositing another coin in the latter. The mechanism for conditioning the game apparatus for repeat operation' or a free play as aforesaid, includes the provision of means for moving the coupling member 49 out of its normal position (Fig. 3) (wherein it may engage the farther thrust flange 3l), into a position where it will engage the nearer upset end portion 38 on the bar i6 whereby the actuating slide bar 29 must of necessity be moved a shorter distance before establishing operative engagement with the controlled member or shuilie panel, so that it is not necessary to slide the bar 29 the whole of the aforesaid predetermined distance in order to effect release of the balls, the arrangement further being such that this foreshortened operating stroke of the. slide bar 29 is equivalent to the idle stroke movement of the master control slide26, with the result that the slidel 25 may be moved the limited amount. of which it is inherently capable, without deposit of a coin, to slide the bar 29 and the shiftable or control means I-l to effect release of the balls.

Means for actuating the coupling means 4)Y is l' preferably mounted onthe slide bar 29 for move? ment with lthe latter, and this means in the preferred embodiment includes an electromagnet 45 suitably mounted on a plate 4B, secured as by spot welding, to the end of the slide bar 29 adjacent the arm 23 thereof. A iinger @l is attached to the armature 48 of the magnet at one of its CII ends and has its opposite end projected into a slot l 49 ina bracket 59 secured to the coupling arm 40, and due to the action of the spring 5l of the i magnet armature, and the finger 4l, the coupling arm 49 is urged into its normal position seen in' Fig. 3, 'so las toA dispose the upturned end portion 42 of the arm 49 out of the path of the up-` turned end -38 ,on the shuiiie-panel, with the result that it is necessary that the slide bar 29 be moved the full predetermined distance inwardly in order to establish operative connection (by engagement of the parts 42 and 3l) in order to actuate-the controlled member ,or shuiile panel.

The operating means or magnet #l5 for the freeplay mechanism is desirably arranged in a control circuit, such as shown in Fig. 5, wherein the operating means Aor electromagnet 45 is connected by -a conductor 69 to one terminal El of the In the illustrative arrangement, the relay wind' ing 6'1 has one-of its terminals connected by a conductor S8 to a contact Isa on one of the ball a switches, the companion contact itl) being connected to another ball switch contact itc 1naving a companion contact i3d connectedA by conductor69 to the terminal 66 of the power source; The remaining .terminal of vthe relay winding 6l is connected` by a `conductor 'I9 through a time'- delay switch 1I and -return conductor 'i2 to the opposite terminal 6i of the .power source. Tli'us, in the illustrative arrangement, the relayiil is controlled through .a @series arrangement lof ball switches and',y also .,th-rougha. time-.delay switch,

The operation ofthe free-play or repeat-operating'mechanism is such that When balls become lodged in certain pockets overlying the switch contacts |3a and |30, relay 61 will be energized through the time-delay switch 1| to pull up the movable Contact 63 and energize the magnet 45 and pull up the armature 48 of the latter, whereupon the arm 41 will be moved to pivot the coupling arm 40 and dispose the upturned end portion 42 thereof out of alignment with the thrust flange 3l and over in a position to engage the upturned end 38 which is vdisposed in advance of the flange 31, it being observed that in the present arrangement thev magnet 45 remains energized so long as the switches |3a and |30 remain operated. The player may be apprised of the fact that he is entitled to a free game award by suitable signal mechanism operatively controlled through the switches |3a and |3c (not shown herein) or the particular ball pockets corresponding to the switches 3a and |3c may be designated appropriately on the playield as constituting a skill award combination. The player being thus apprised of the fact that he is entitled to a free play, will push the master control slide 26 inwardly, the latter, however, being movable less than its usual stroke due to the fact that no coin needs be deposited therein, and the actuating control or slide bar 29 which is moved by the coin slide will be obliged to travel less than its predetermined full stroke in order to establish operative connection or coupling with the controlled or shiftable frame arrangement A|5--||5, such coupling being effected through the engagement of the upturned end 42 with thebracket end 38, which is disposed in advance of the thrust flange 37 in the direction of movement of the operating slide 29.

It will be apparent that -the objects of the invention may be satisfactorily accomplished in the preferred arrangement described, which arrangement includes, broadly, the provision of a reciprocable actuating member arranged for movement a predetermined distance into operative engagement With a controlled member for actuation of the latter, and means for permitting actuation of the controlled member by movement of the actuating slide less than said predetermined distance, said means including a coupling device or interconnecting means movably mounted on the actuating slide and normally disposed in alignment for engagement With the controlled member when the actuating slide is moved the entire predetermined distance aforesaid, together with means for moving the coupling member out of alignment into position .to engage a portion of the controlled member which is. disposed in advance of the part thereof which is normally engaged by the coupling member when the latter is in aligned position, whereby the actuating slide bar need .be

lmoved only a part of its predetermined normal stroke to establish operative connection with the controlled member.

The invention is dei-ined in the appended claims which are intended to include all equivalent arrangements and constructions with respect to theform, location, or operation of the claimed arrangement.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire'to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, variable stroke operating means including a reciprocable slide and a Co-directionally reciprocable controlled member adapted to be actuated by the slid-e and having a plurality of thrust-receiving membersoffset one behind another relative to the line of reciprocation of said slide, a movable interconnecting member carried with said slide and movable into `position for engagement with one of said thrust, members when the slide is moved vtoward the controlled member, the distance which said slide must be Amoved to effect operation of the controlled member depending upon whether said interconnecting member is positioned tov engage a nearer or farther one of the thrust-receiving members, together with means for positioning said interconnecting member with respect to said thrust-receiving points. 2. In a device of the class described, including a controlled member, a variable stroke operating device comprising an actuating member arranged for back and forth movement relative to said 'controlled member, movable interconnecting means carried with said actuating member and arranged for movement -into different positions relative to the actuating member to operatively engage the controlled member at points thereon which are relatively in advance or behind each other in the direction of movement of the actuating member, whereby the latter must make a longeror shorter stroke, depending upon the position of said movable interconnecting means, in order to operativelyengage said controlled' member, and means for moving the interconnecting means for the purpose aforesaid.

3. In a device of the class described, variable stroke operating mechanism including a mutually reciprocable actuating member and a controlled device, said controlled device having means providing thrust-receiving parts which are positioned one behind another in the direction of reciprocation of the actuating member, a pivoted interconnecting member mounted on said actuating member and arranged to be moved into alignment with one or another of said thrust-receiving parts to engage the same when the actuating member is moved toward the controlled device, said actuating member being moved diiferent distances to effect operative engagement with the controlled device as aforesaid, depending upon whether the interconnecting member is positioned to engage a nearer or farther one of said thrust-receiving parts, and means including electromagnetic means mounted for movement with said actuating member and arranged to move and position said interconnecting member for the purpose aforesaid.

4. In a device of the class described, a variable stroke operating device including a reciprocable slide, a thrust arm pivotally mounted on said ing slide having a thrust arm pivoted thereon, a

controlled member arranged to move in the same directionas said slide and having offset thrustreceiving parts at least one of which lies farther from said slide than another in the direction of movement of the slide, and meansy for moving said thrust arm into various positions of alignment with one or another of said thrust-recev- 75 ing parts to operatively engage the same upon movement of the slide toward said controlled member, the distance which said slide has to move depending upon whether the thrust arm is positioned to engage a nearer or farther one of said thrust-receiving parts.

6. In combination, mutually reciprocable actuating and controlled members, a thrust member mounted on said actuating member for movement into various positions in a direction substantially transverse of the movement of the aforesaid members, and thrust-receiving means on said controlled member and offset from the line of said dir-ection of movement of the controlled member and one of the same lying farther away from said thrust arm than the other in said direction, and means for moving said thrust arm into position to engage a desired one of said thrust-receiving means to Vary the distance which it will be necessary to move the actuating member from an initial position toward the controlled member to operatively engage the latter.

7. In combination, a mutually reciprocable slide and shiftable member, the latter having thrust-receiving portions stepped away from said slide in the direction of movement thereof, and variable stroke means including a pivoted thrust arm on said slide and coacting spring and electromagnetic means mounted for movement with the slide and arranged for operation to move said thrust arm into alignment with a desired thrustreceiving portion for operative engagement with the same when said slide is moved from an initial position toward said shiftable member, the distance which said slide must be moved to effect operative engagement with the shiftable member depending upon Whether said thrust arm is positioned in alignment with a nearer or farther thrust-receiving portion.

8. In combination, an actuating member arranged for back and forth movement, movable interconnecting means carried with said actuating member, spring means urging said interconnecting means into a normal position, a shiitable member arranged in the path of said interconnecting means for engagement and movement by the latter in its aforesaid normal. position when the actuating member is moved a certain distance from a normal position toward said shiftable member, and means mounted for movement with said actuating member and operable to move said interconnecting means from said normal position thereof into a different position such that said actuating member must be moved a distance different from the aforesaid certain distance in order to operatively engage said shiftable member.

9. Control mechanism including a controlled member provided with an engaging part disposed in advance of a second engaging part, an actuating member adapted for cooperation with an operating control and arranged for reciprocation relative to said engaging parts, coupling means movably mounted on said actuating member and normally disposed in alignment to engage the farthest one of said engaging parts so that the actuating member must normally be moved y a predetermined distance in order to engage and operate the controlled member, said coupling means being movable out of said normal position to be engageable with said second and nearer engaging part whereby the actuating member may be moved less than said predetermined distance to operate the controlled member, and means for moving the coupling means into and out of said normal position. l A 10. Operating means including an actuatin member arranged for back and forth motion, a movable coupling element on said actuating member, and a controlled device arranged to be engaged and operated by said coupling element when said actuating member is moved a predetermined distance toward the controlled device from an initial position with said coupling element dis-*1 posed in a normal position, said coupling element being movable out of said normal position for engagement with the controlled ,device for operation of the latter by a movement of the actuating member less than said predetermined distance, and means for moving the coupling member into and out of normal position as aforesaid.

ll. Operating mechanism including a controlled device having parts, an actuating member arranged for back and forth vmovement relative to said thrustengaging parts, one of the latter being farther than the other from said actuating member in the direction of back and forth movement, a movable coupling member mounted on said actuating member for back and forth movement into and out of alignment withy one or the otherof said thrust-engaging parts so that said actuating member must be moved a predetermined distance to effect operative engagement with said controlled member, said actuating member being moved less than said predetermined distance to effect operative engagement as aforesaid when the coupling member is positioned to engage the nearer thrust-engaging part, and means for moving said coupling member back and forth' relative to the thrust-engaging parts as aforesaid.

l2; 'In a device of the class described, a reciprocable actuating member arranged for movement from a normal' position a predetermined .movement of said,interconnecting means into and out of normal position for the purpose aforesaid.k

y13. In a device of the class clla-racterized,l an actuating member arranged for movement from a normal position a normal predetermined distance to engage a controlled member for operation of the latter, and means including a inovable member arranged for cooperation with said' actuating member for movement from a normal position, relative to said actuating member, into a position for operative engagement with said controlled member, said actuating member being moved less than said predetermined distance in offset thrust-engaging order to effect the aforesaid operative engage-- ment of the movable member whereby the latter may be operated by movementof the actuating member less than the normal predetermined dis- -MYER GENSBURG, 

